By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 8: The Batang Rambungan Bridge, a key part of Sarawak Coastal Road along the Sempadi-Lundu stretch, is on track to open by the end of 2026, months ahead of its official May 18, 2027 completion date.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Datuk Aidel Lariwoo said the 560-metre cable-stayed bridge, featuring nine cables per pylon, has overcome earlier technical challenges, including the use of PFA (pulverized fuel ash) in the concrete mix, which required special approvals from federal authorities and Public Works Department (JKR).
“The material in question was PFA, which was part of the concrete mix. It requires special approvals from JKR and federal authorities. However, that issue has been fully addressed.
“So now, there are no remaining technical problems—it’s up to the contractor to complete the bridge. The contractor had promised to finish earlier, as soon as June this year,” he told reporters during a visit to the site today.
He noted that the pace of construction is expected to increase significantly once all materials, including the cables, arrive and the pylons and decking work advance.
With a contract sum of RM82,003,570.00, the Proposed Construction and Completion of Sarawak Coastal Road Remaining Works for Retender – Package D1: Proposed Construction and Completion of Batang Rambungan Bridge, Kuching Division, Sarawak commenced on Nov 19, 2024 and expected to be completed by May 18, 2027.
The project is implemented by Titanium Project Management Sdn Bhd as the contractor, with Opus Consultant (M) Sdn Bhd and Jurutera Minsar Consult Sdn Bhd appointed as the consultants.
The work package main work consists of 80m-160m-80m span cable-stayed bridge over Batang Rambungan, 2 spans approach bridge at Kuching side and 4 spans approach bridge at Lundu site, new and upgrading of approach roads approximately 815m long. — DayakDaily
